Criminal is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language crime thriller written and directed by Dakshina Moorthy Ramar, marking his debut as a filmmaker. Backed by producers P. R. Meenakshi Soundaram and I.B. Karthikeyan, the film is produced under the banners Parsa Pictures and Big Print Pictures. Set against the gritty urban backdrop of Madurai, the film aims to deliver a gripping narrative infused with realism, local flavour and emotional complexity. Strong behind-the-scenes stills and first-look posters have stoked excitement ever since the project's filming ended in early 2023.
The story is expected to revolve around a chilling crime that disrupts a city and the intense investigation that follows. It examines the psychological and emotional toll that crime takes on all parties involved, including the accused and the investigators. The main character is played by Gautham Karthik, a man whose life gets caught in violence. R. Sarathkumar, a senior police officer, exudes superiority and likely oversees a significant number of investigations. Criminal will use themes of justice, morality and guilt to explore how ordinary lives can turn into extraordinary chaos.
The official release date has not yet been revealed, but it was initially expected to occur in mid-2024. Delays in post-production, including intricate editing and dubbing for multilingual releases, were the reason for the postponement. What sets Criminal apart are its compelling performances, realistic narrative, and plot that blurs the lines between guilt and innocence.